Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need?Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate.And desperate times call for Cletus Winston.Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So… what’s a maniacal mastermind to do?Likely, the last thing you expect.‘Beard Science’ is the third book in the Winston Brothers series, is a full-length romantic comedy novel, and can be read as a standalone.

5 Stars

Beard Science is the third book in the Winston Brother's series, although it can easily be read as standalone. This was my the first book I have read in this series, and I've only read a couple of Penny's previous works. I absolutely loved Beard Science, I adored the characters, the setting and the themes and have added the two previous titles to my never ending to be read list!

Beard Science is the story of Cletus Winston and Jennifer Sylvester, and their budding relationship. This pair are incredibly intriguing, as is their relationship and their interactions. Their relationship starts off as blackmail, they are barely acquaintances, and this interesting and captivating pair, completely engage your interest right from the start.

Cletus is one intriguing character. He's incredibly charismatic, although at times he's not always endearing. Cletus is incredibly a little bit quirky, a little bit odd, and above all highly intelligent, and very manipulative. His quirky personality captivates you right from the very beginning. It's intriguing to watch as he plots, assesses and manipulates those around him to get what he wants. He craves to be in control and is not used to being out-smarted.

Jennifer appears simple, she was home schooled and has few social skills. Her whole life has been regulated by her overbearing parents including her career, what she wears and who she interacts with. Jennifer is a keen observer, and when she accidentally stumbles upon some valuable information, she uses it to her advantage to gain Cletus' conformity. I loved watching Jennifer go on a journey of self discovery and evolve and flourish.

Jennifer knocks Cletus down a few pegs, she challenges him, but he also challenges her and it's intriguing to watch them both grow, change and develop as individuals and characters throughout the story line.

Both these characters are exceptional and much more than meets the eye. I absolutely adored their story, I want to be adopted into the Winston clan. This book is so full of emotion and the banter is completely engaging and entertaining. I laughed, I cried and I cannot wait for more of this series.

“So Cletus told me I needed to change
one thing every day. He wasn’t specific about what I should change,
just that I should decide on the one thing myself.”

Billy
nodded.

I continued. “At first I didn’t see the purpose,
but—do you know?—Cletus was right. Something as trivial as
paining my nails a different color made me feel like I could do
anything I set my mind to.”

Billy smiled.

I
continued. “Cletus also said-”

Billy cleared his throat.
“Do you go to the jam session much? I think I’ve only seen you
here a handful of times.”

“I don’t, actually. I’d like
to, but Saturdays are busy. I’m usually making special orders on
Friday night. I’ve heard you sing a few times, though. You should
do it more often, you have such a nice voice.”

Billy smiled
again, his eyes sliding to me then away. “Thank you.”

“And
Cletus is amazing on the banjo. Last year he did a folksy version of
Thriller, during Halloween. It was spectacular.”

Billy
sighed.

Conversation was surprisingly easy with
Billy Winston, once I stopped being afraid of saying the wrong thing.
Instead of worrying, I just said whatever I wanted. He wasn’t a big
talker, other than asking me questions, so I filled the silence.
Sometimes what I said made him laugh. Sometimes it made him nod.
Sometimes it made him cough.

But usually whatever I said made
him smile. And that was nice. He was nice.

He pulled his truck
into the community center lot and it was clear the jam session was
already in full swing. The evening was chilly, so folks were dressed
in coats.

I pulled my shawl over my shoulders and Billy opened
my door, helping me from the car. I slipped my fingers back into the
crook of his elbow while trying to suppress a new, and more powerful,
flutter of excitement as we approached the community center.

I
wondered if Cletus would be there. I wondered what he would think of
my dress, and my hair in a bun, and my purposefully minimal makeup,
and my nail polish. Even though I was nervous, I grinned at the
thought.

“What are you smiling about?” Billy asked, giving
me the side eye.

“I’m nervous,” I answered honestly,
feeling breathless, then asked before I could catch myself, “Do you
think Cletus is here?”

Billy’s mouth tugged to the side
and he studied my face. “I’m sure he is. Why?”

“I
wonder what he’ll think of my dress,” I admitted
excitedly.

Billy chuckled and shook his head.

“What?
What is it?” I pressed, searching his profile for a sign as to why
he was laughing.

He pulled us to a stop and faced me. “Since
this is a practice date, do you want me to give you a tip?”

I
nodded eagerly. “Yes, please. All tips are welcome.”

“Okay.
Here goes,” he gathered large breath, like he was bracing himself,
and said, “When you’re on a date with a man, it’s probably best
not to bring up a different man.”

“No,
no. It’s fine.” He reached for my hand and squeezed it. “This
is a practice, no need to apologize. I’m not upset. But if this
were a real date, you bringing up Cletus and wondering what he’s
going to think of your dress would definitely rub me the wrong way.
If I’m on a date, I want that woman to be thinking only of me. Does
that make sense?”

I nodded, because it did make sense. “Just
like, I probably wouldn’t like it—if this were a real date—if
you kept bringing up other woman.”

“That’s right.” He
moved my hand back to his arm. “You’ll want to keep the
conversation about the two of you.”

I considered things as
we walked. “Thank you, Billy.”

“For what?” He opened
the double door for me, placing his hand on the small of my back to
usher me inside. The entryway was full of people, but I hardly
noticed them.

“Thanks for doing this, and for the tip.
Thanks for sacrificing your Friday night.”

Billy covered my
fingers on his arm with his hand. “It’s not a sacrifice,
Jennifer.”

“Well, it can’t be pleasant.”

He
grinned again and gave me an incredulous look.

“What? What
did I do this time? Do you have more tips?” I needed to know. I
hoped he filled the whole night with tips, so I would be an expert
when the time came for a real date.

Billy’s grin faded as
his piercing blue eyes moved over my face. If he’d done this just
last week I think I would’ve fainted on the spot, mortified and
terrified and assured of my own failure.

But so much had
changed in a week. I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. I was changing,
becoming braver. So I met his glacial eyes straight on and lifted my
eyebrows encouragingly.

But before I could recover, a stern
voice to my left interjected. “She has no idea whatsoever.”

I
turned and found Cletus standing at my shoulder. Startled, I stumbled
a step to the side so I could see him better. What I found surprised
me.

His jaw was clenched.

His mouth was curved into a
frown.

And Cletus’ eyes, a dangerous and fiery blue, were
narrowed on his brother.

About Penny Reid

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

At a boxing gym in Chicago, Mary Monahan accidentally knocks out the most handsome man she’s ever met. After she wakes him up with a few slaps and some smelling salts, the very first thing he does is ask her out for ribs and beer. His name is Jimmy. He looks like a Gillette model. And he’s just too hunky to resist.Jimmy “The Falcon” Falconi is mystified that Mary has absolutely no idea who he is. Mystified and refreshed. He is, after all, not your everyday NFL quarterback. He shops at Costco, has a soft spot for Pinterest, and is in the midst of an epic losing streak.Jimmy falls for Mary fast and hard, the way he does everything—balls out and like it’s fourth and long. And he realizes he’s finally met his match. That stamina he’s so proud of? Doesn’t stand a chance against her Kegels.But what they don’t know is she’s also his new physical therapist, recently hired by the Bears to work on his rotator cuff…and groin injury. If she can’t help him, he’ll be traded faster than they can say “offensive penetration.”In spite of the thousands of internet memes featuring Jimmy’s face with captions like: “HEY GIRL, WANT TO TOUCH MY BALLS?” Mary finds herself falling for him and his unrelenting desire to make her his.Until a toddler shows up at Jimmy’s door.And throws their lives into total chaos.***To the reader: Contents includes love, sweetness, naughtiness, honey, champagne, and an HEA. Safe.

Nicola Rendell writes dirty, funny, erotic romance. She likes a stiff drink and a well-frosted cake. She is at an unnamed Ivy and prefers to remain mostly anonymous for professional reasons. She has a PhD in English and an MFA in Creative Writing from schools that shall not be named here. She loves to cook, sew, and play the piano. She realizes that her hobbies might make her sound like an old lady and she’s totally okay with that. She lives with her husband and her dogs. She is from Taos, New Mexico.

Since the accident I’ve been a woman without a name, a home, a history. I have no memory of the woman I was before and it’s painful to think I could forget about myself. But I’ve decided I’ll find out who she should be. Stepping into the club I have no misgivings about what I’ll like and what I’ll find, but he wasn’t it. Tall, dangerous, hands that roam everywhere I need them to and a voice like silk. I don’t want to see his face, I want him to be a mystery like I am.

One night is all I’ll need to feel, to be caressed and revered, then I can go back to being no one in the crowd.

Fate had a different plan.

I am a fighter. I fight for what I believe in and I fight for the people I care about, but I’ve never been the guy fighting for the girl, they fall at my feet. My club is swimming with sex, women and able bodies to take to my bed, but I don’t. Find your relief, enjoy them and set them loose — anything more and your head gets twisted up. That was my rule.

When she stepped through the door I knew I wanted her, I wanted to taste her and feel her soft body up against mine. I had to touch her. I had to see the colour rise in her cheeks. Did I know it would become more?

Maybe I should have stayed away.

"Another story that I never saw coming! WHAT AN EMOTIONALLY POWERFUL STORY! I LOVED it..." ~The Power of Three Readers

With an avaricious appetite for stories, Kerri Ann can be found quite often with her nose in a book or writing it. On many occasion it has been said that she's in her own world, living in the stories of those she reads about, giving them a life they deserve.

She can easily be found under a tree in the shade, or reclining at Starbucks scribbling notes about new stories and new characters, all while keeping the coffee chain in business.

Whether late at night, at a music festival, or sitting on a ski lift, when the thoughts arise, Kerri Ann will add them to those in progress. So be wary, your antics could be in her next book.

Just the mention of her name makes my blood pressure soar. She’s the hot as hell reporter who told the world my days as Chicago’s quarterback were over and made my fans doubt me. Who the hell does she think she is to give my throwing arm its last rites? Now the team owner wants us to do some messed up reality show together called Beauty and the Baller. During the season, I eat, sleep, and breathe football. This Beauty better not mess with my game, or this Baller is going to pull the plug on her show.

Bryce Luck…

He hates my guts. Big time. One stupid news report and I’m on his sh*t list for life. I wish I could take back my words, but I was following orders. Just like I am now. My boss wants me to produce a sports feature where I follow Bryce around 24/7, including the locker room. His blue eyes and dimpled smile make my knees weak, and I lose all perspective. I tried to fight it—my attraction and the show. Tried to say it was a bad idea. You know what they told me? A respectable reporter gets the job done. Well, Bryce isn’t the only one who knows how to dish it out. I’ll give him a taste of his own tough luck.

Hard Luck (Book One) is NOW ON SALE for ONLY $0.99 & FREE ON Kindle Unlimited!

USA Today bestselling author, Liv Morris, was raised in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. She now resides on the rock known as St. Croix, USVI with her first and hopefully last husband. After relocating twelve times during his corporate career, she qualifies as a professional mover. Learning to bloom where she's planted, Liv brings her moving and life experience to her writing.

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Goodreads Reviews

4.5 Stars
Her Dominant SEAL, is the ninth title in the Midnight Delta series. I've only previously read one other title by Caitlyn O'Leary and it wasn't part of the Midnight Delta series. This book can easily be read as a standalone, a...

Bryce is the first title in the Players series, and overall it's an enjoyable and entertaining sports romance, with strong themes of family, love and romance.
Tami is a strong, proud, independent woman. She's been burned in the past an...

Milion Baller Baby is the first title in the Bad Boy Ballers series and is Rafe MacIntyre and Peyton Fox's story. Rafe and Peyton's have a past, and when Peyton is thrust into the role of owning the football team Rafe play's for they are...

4.5 Stars
Encore Worthy is Millicent Valentine (Millie) and Sage McCoy's story. This story is really a prequel to the Mountains & Men series. What starts as a one night stand, ends up being more.
Sage is a tattooed, sexy, arrogant, s...

For Finlay was my first time reading anything by J. Nathan, and it didn't dissapoint. I love a sports romance so was immediately drawn to this story. An angst filled read, that is full of emotional highs and lows. Both a heartbreaking an...